How Enterprise Can Empower Young People to Tackle Youth Unemployment

Youth unemployment is a national crisis, and the need for innovative solutions has never been more urgent. With financial constraints tightening and limited government incentives, our current leaders struggle to find solutions. However, the potential for change lies within young people themselves.

Solving the Crisis through Entrepreneurship

Young people have the power to address youth unemployment by embracing entrepreneurship. By integrating entrepreneurial skills into the school curriculum, we can cultivate a generation equipped to innovate and succeed. Learn more about how enterprise can empower young people to tackle youth unemployment.

Through volunteering experiences, I’ve delivered enterprise sessions in schools, witnessing firsthand how students thrive when they can express their creativity and ideas. Unfortunately, these sessions often lack follow-up, leaving many students without the support they need to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions.

Creating an Even Playing Field

Programs like the Young Enterprise Company Programme demonstrate the effectiveness of engaging students in entrepreneurship. However, these programs are typically available only in schools that can afford them. Integrating such initiatives into the school curriculum would ensure all students have access to these vital opportunities.

Additionally, we can level the playing field post-school by unifying application processes for all qualifications, similar to UCAS, combining apprenticeships with traditional academic pathways. This would align with mandatory education until age 19, providing a comprehensive approach to skill development.

Redefining Success

We should consider offering students a third option: a loan of up to £9,000 to start their own business. This low-risk capital injection would work like tuition fees, repayable only when the entrepreneur reaches a certain income level. Such initiatives send a powerful message that there are multiple paths to success, encouraging young entrepreneurs to take risks and innovate.

By fostering entrepreneurship and innovation, we can empower young people to create their own opportunities and redefine what success looks like.

For further reading, explore more on A greater focus on entrepreneurship is needed to tackle youth unemployment and The unaffordable youth unemployment crisis - and how volunteering can help.